Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-03-12

Mrs. Rightbody ut first demurred to this;
but, Oh the assurance from Mr.. Ryder that
this was tho only condition on which an
interview would be granted, finally COIL
sented.
sYou will find them square men, even IL
they are a little rough, ma'am. But, If you'd
like me to be present, m stop; though I
reckon, if ye'd calkilated on that, you'd have
had me- take care O. your business BY proxy.
and not come yourself three thousand miles
TO do It."
Mrs. Rightbody believed It better to SEQ
them alone.
GAN right, ma'am. m hang round out
here; and eff ye should happen to hev a tick.
lin in your throat, anda bad spell o coughin',
I'll drop in. careless like, to see If you don't
want them drops. Sabcf
And with an exceedingly arch wink, and a
slight familiar tap on Mrs. Rightbody's shout
der, which might have caused the late Mr..
Rightbody to burst his sspujchre, be with
drew.
A very timid, hesitating tap on the door
was followed by the entrance Of two men,
both Of whom, in general size, strength, and
uncouthness, were ludicrously inconsistent
with their diffident announcement. They
proceeded in indian file to the center of the
room, faced Mrs. Rightbody, acknowledged
her deep courtesy by q strong shake Of the
hand, and, drawing two chairs opposite to
her, sat down side by side.
II presume I have the pleasure of address
tng-nbssan Ma Rightbody.
Tho man directly opposite Mrs. Rightbody
turned to.the other in~quiringly.
The other man nodded his head, and re-
Piled:
sSeventy-four."
aseventy.ave." promptly followed the
other.
Mira Rightbody paused, a little confused.
II have sent for you," she began again,
TO learn something, more Of the circum-
stances under which you gentlemen sent a
dispatch to my laee husband"
1.-THE circumstances, i" replied. s~eventy-four,
quietly, with side glance at his companion,
3panned out about in this yer style. We
hung a man, named Josh Silsbie, down at
Deadwood for hoss stealth. When I say .sps,
Ispeak for Seventy-hve yer as is present,
as well as representa-, so to speak, seventy
two other gents as is scattered. We hung
Josh Silsbie on squar', pretty squar', evidence.
Afore he was strung up S~eventy-fve yer
axed him, accordin' to custom, ef Their was
emmy thing he had to say, or emmy request
that he allowed to make Of Us. He turns to
Seventy-ave yer, and"
Here he paused suddenly, looking at his
companion.
"Hc seq, seq he" began Seventy-dve, taking
up tho narrative-ahe sez, Kin I write .
letter. seq be. Seq I, Not much, ole man;
ye've got notime.' SEE he, Kin I send a dis
patch by telegraph I SEE, 'Heave ahead
He sez-these is his dientikal words-'Send to
Adam Rightbody, Boston. Tell him to re-
member his sacred compack with me thirty
years ago."
"'Hiss sacred compack with me thirty years
ago." echoed Seventy-four-"his dientikal
words.n
"What was the compact" asked Mrs. Right
body anxiously.
S~eventy-four. looked at seventy-tive, and
then both arose and retired to the corner Of
the parlor, where they engaged in a slow but
whispered elaboration. Presently they re-
turned and sat down again.
"We allow" said Seventy-four, quietly but
decidedly, "that you know what that sacred
compact was"
Mrs. Rightbody lost her temper and her
truthfulness together. sOf course" she said
hurriedly, II know. But do you mean to say
That you gave this poor man no further chance
to explain before you murdered himp
Seventy-four and Seventy-ave both rose
again slowly and retired. When they re-
turned again and sat down, Seventy-ive,
who by this time, through some subtle mag
! netism, Mrs. Rightbody began to recognize as
the superior power, said gravely:
ave wish to say, regarding this yer muir
der, that Seventy-four and mo is equally re-.
sponsible; that we reckon also to represent, so
to speak, seventy-two other gentlemen Us is
scattered; that we are ready, Seventy-four
and me-, to take and holt that responsibility,
now and at any time, afore every man or
men as kin be fetched agin us. We wish TO
say that this yer say Of ours holds good yer
in Californy, or In any part of these United
States"
:"Or in Canady," suggested Seventy-four.
"Or in Candy. We wouldn't agree to cross
the water, or so to furrin parts, unless ALSO
lutely necessary. We leaves the chise Of weep
pings to your principal, maam, or being o
lady, ma'am, and interested, to any one you
may fetch to act FOR him. An advertisement
in any Of the Sacramento papers, or a play
caru or handful stuck unto a tree near Dead.
wood, saying that Seventy-four or Seventy
five will communicate with this yer princi.
pal or agent Of yours, will fetch us-allers"
Mrs Rightbody, a little alarmed and des.
perate, saw her blunder II mean nothing Of
the kind" she said hastily. u only expected
that you might have some further details Of
this interview with silsbie; that perhaps you
could tall me"-a bold, bright thought crossed
Mrs. R~ightbody's mind something moro
about her."
The two men looked at each other.
u suppose your society hos no objection
to giving me information about her!" said
Mrs. Rightbody eagerly.
Another quiet conversation in the corner,
and the return of both men.
w want to say that we've no objection "
Mrs. Rightbody's heart beat high. Her
boldness had made her penetration good. Yet
she felt she must not alarm the men heed
lessly.
evil you inform me to what extent Mr..
Rightbody, my late husband. was interested
in herr"
This time it seemed an age to Mrs, Right.